Tied to Perfection
By Jean Claude Alfa
Very few people realise that you can appreciate a man’s soul from by his choice of neckties. This may sound strange but bear with me for one moment. Whereas suits come in all shapes, sizes and colours, ties unlike any other apparel indicate what moves you, what you stand for and ultimately who you are as a person. It’s like that all important final brush stroke in a masterpiece painting.
And for such an effect you need to wear a master. In the world of neckties there is really only one: Drake’s of London. Founded in 1977 by Michael Drake and Isabelle Dickson, the label may be a newcomer on the fashion scene but in just three decades it has managed to outclass its peers by remaining faithful to the credo ‘do one thing and do it well.’ And Drake’s certainly does.
Particularly known for an uncompromising and adept use of silk, Drake’s prefers the matt and firm material making the tie less shiny and thicker allowing for a better hold at the knot. He also selects his fabrics very carefully, 75 per cent of which are made in the UK with the rest imported from reputable Como silk manufacturers in Italy. Available in 36oz, 42oz, and 50oz the weave is so strong you could tow a car with these ties yet the suppleness and grace of their fabric conceals any such muscle.
The fact that each tie is handmade is not an anomaly in the world of high-end designers. Rather, it’s the artistic nature of the tie matched with the scientific precision of the normally imperfect hand making process that differentiates this brand. Here’s how it’s done.
Each necktie is handmade by one of 40 dedicated English craftsmen by initially cutting the pattern from a generous block of silk so as to ensure that the neck, blade and tail originate from the same grain. There’s also sufficient cloth to create a deep fold at the back of the tie. Turn a Drake’s around and you’ll realise there’s no lining (or tipping) because the weight of the fabric provides plenty enough for an outer cloth.
Finally the slipping is a true mark of the company’s artisanship. The tie is carefully folded and hand sewn shut along the line of the tie using a continuous length of silken thread using the classic slip stitch. All in all, there are an outstanding 18 separate quality checks during the creation of each tie.
A Drake’s tie also has one other attribute in common with the painting greats. His branding is hidden in the tail of the tie so that those around can enjoy the masterpiece rather than the signature.
